Life has a way of throwing a curve ball every once in a while. And then there are times like this when it throws a million of them at once, all aimed for the deepest part of your heart.

After a lengthy battle with Cancer, a series of complications lead Michael into a self-induced coma of which it was uncertain he would be able to come out of.

Michael Louis Calvillo passed away on April 30th, 2012, at the tender age of 37.

Dreadful Tales would like to extend our condolences to the Calvillo family. Our hearts go out to you in this, your time of need.

Colum:

I was crushed when I read about the passing of Michael Louis Calvillo this evening. I’d known this incredible person for a little while, almost entirely through email correspondence, but I cannot even begin to tell you just how profound his words were, and how much his exuberance and excitement pushed me towards following my own goals in writing and in life. His happiness was infectious.

It still is.

I was working solo at Paperback Horror when I was pointed in the direction of this talented young author. He’d released several books that, for some reason, flew under my radar, and it was only at the suggestion of another author that I was finally made aware of his incredible talent. BLEED FOR YOU was the first book of Calvillo’s that I ever picked up, and about 10 pages in I knew that this was an author I would follow forever.

Immediately after the review, I contacted Michael to let him know what I thought of it, and directed him to the piece I’d written. I received an email almost immediately in return, thanking me, and impressing upon me a true love of the genre and writing. I’ll never forget the easy smile I could feel pulsing through his words. It’s had a profound effect on me ever since.

And now, like many others, my collection will be completed far too early – a thought that fills me with more sorrow than I thought was possible.

Jason:

I can’t think clearly at this point. I’d only interacted with Michael a handful of times, sadly, never in person. I’m lucky to have had those interactions, because even through Facebook and reading his blog I could see what an amazing man he was.

Just the other day, I was reorganizing my bookshelf when I came upon my copy of 7 BRAINS, and I can almost still feel the smile on my face. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Michael’s family, friends, and fellow fans.

Meli:

I didn’t know Michael Louis Calvillo personally and I’ve only recently become acquainted with his work, but my deepest most heart felt condolences go out to his family first and foremost as well as his friends and fans. It’s obvious he touched many lives and I suspect he will continue to do so.

Michael’s work can be found at Amazon and other online retailers. We highly encourage you to delve into the incredible works of Michael Louis Calvillo, and purchase any and all of his books. Michael has been published by Delirium Books, Bad Moon Books, Burning Effigy Press, DarkFuse publications, Crossroads Press, and several other publishers and magazines.

His contribution to the horror genre, and to literature as a whole, will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Michael.